Eggplant Heirloom Tomato And Buffalo Mozzarella Stacks Recipes

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STACKS

Steps:

• In a large bowl toss the eggplant slices with 1/4 cup kosher salt. Using your fingertips, evenly distribute the salt on both sides of each slice. Place the eggplant in a colander set over a large bowl or sheet pan to catch juices. Set aside for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line two 18 by 13-inch baking sheets with heavy-duty foil.
• Rinse the eggplant under cold water and dry thoroughly with paper towels.
• Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on one baking sheet. Brush olive oil on 1 side. Brush with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper.
• Drizzle the other pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer, season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with the minced garlic.
• Roast the tomatoe slices until they are very soft and just beginning to brown, 10 to 15 minutes, without turning. Bake the eggplant slices until they are tender and well browned, 20 to 30 minutes, without turning. Let the tomato and eggplant slices cool until you can handle them with your fingers.
• Make a short stack starting with eggplant on the bottom, 1 slice mozzarella, and then tomato. Top with another piece of eggplant. Warm stacks in the oven until mozzarella lightly melts. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

PORTABELLA STACKS

Steps:

• Scrape out the dark gills on the underside of each mushroom.
• Rinse lightly under water and wipe with paper towel.
• Thinly slice the eggplant and sprinkle with garlic salt.
• Put the mushrooms in an oiled baking dish.
• Drizzle with a few sprinkles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
• Top with a couple eggplant slices.
• Add a basil leaf.
• Add mozzarella slice.
• Add a slice of red onion.
• Add a basil leaf.
• Add a slice of tomato.
• Add a basil leaf.
• Repeat layers and top with Asiago cheese.
• At this point I cut a wooden skewer in half and poke it down the center of each mushroom stack to hold them in place.
• Drizzle a bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar (not a lot or it will sweat too much).
• Bake in 400° for 20 minutes.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN STACKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Season eggplant with salt. Heat 1 cup oil (about 1/4 inch) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, so as to not crowd the skillet, fry eggplant rounds, turning once, until soft and pale golden, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, and cook 20 seconds (do not let brown). Add tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes break down and are soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in oregano and basil. (Alternatively, stir oregano and basil into 1 1/4 cups Freezable Tomato Sauce Base.)
• Place 6 slices of eggplant on a rimmed baking sheet. Top each slice with 1 tablespoon sauce and a few pieces of mozzarella, and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons Parmesan. Repeat layering twice.
• Bake until heated through and cheese is bubbling, about 12 minutes. Serve immediately, garnished with oregano and Parmesan shavings.

EGGPLANT, HEIRLOOM TOMATO, AND BUFFALO MOZZARELLA STACKS

Steps:

• Heat a gas grill to medium high or prepare a medium-hot charcoal fire.
• In a medium bowl, mix the olive oil, thyme, marjoram, lemon zest, red pepper flakes (if using), 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
• Brush the tomatoes and eggplant slices with 1 tablespoon of the herb oil olive. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Marinate the mozzarella in the remaining oil.
• Grill eggplant, flipping once, until nicely browned and tender, 2-3 minutes.
• To serve-put a tomato slice on four plates. Top each with a slice of eggplant, hen a slice of mozzarella Repeat, ending with a tomato slice. Drizzle with any remaining oil and serve.